A heartfelt journey of how one woman's nickname became her mission to create community, connection, and healing through events, creativity, and genuine human kindness.
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Influential Woman · Creativity, Wellness and Community Events
April Knapp - Scott
Founder and Owner, Sunshine Creations Co.
Kernersville, NC 27284
1Article published
Her Story
About April
April Knapp Scott is the founder of Sunshine Creations Co., a community focused organization built on the belief that meaningful connections can change lives. What began as a creative hobby making handmade wreaths evolved into a mission centered on community, creativity, wellness, and service.
Since launching Sunshine Creations Co. in 2023, April has organized craft nights, vendor fairs, wellness activities, community outreach projects, and large scale events that bring people together. Her work has included partnerships with local organizations such as the Kernersville VFW and the Greensboro Groove, as well as initiatives that support small businesses, families, and community engagement.
April's passion for connection extends beyond events. She has led food pantry efforts, toy drives, disaster relief initiatives, holiday outreach programs, and other service projects designed to help people feel seen, supported, and valued. She is currently developing AS IF Ministry, a nonprofit ministry inspired by her family's experiences and faith journey.
Professionally, April serves as a Technical Service Representative and Wellness Champion at Waste Management, where she combines her commitment to service with employee wellness and engagement.
A survivor, encourager, community builder, and aspiring memoir author, April uses her personal experiences to inspire hope and resilience in others. Her long term vision is to create a creative wellness studio where people can gather, reflect, heal, and build meaningful connections through creativity and community.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with April
01What do you attribute your success to?
My father, Elmer C. Knapp Jr. was the president of Coca-Cola Wisconsin. He was a powerhouse professional, salesperson, and motivational speaker. Growing up I was always shy, but realize now as I get older that I am just like him, but I am my own person. He didn't go to college either, and I really attribute my success to taking what he taught me and realizing that that is also my strength, and utilizing it in my own ways. He passed away in 2014, but I would have to give him credit for that, honestly. I would say he's my number one mentor, for sure.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Follow your dreams and don't let anyone dim your light. My dad always said if you don't train 'em, don't blame 'em. If you're leading someone and you're not leading them with your knowledge, and you're just letting them go astray, you're doing nobody any good. So train them, don't blame them, if they don't know or understand something, that is a big one for me. And then another one that's always in my mind is, don't do what's easy, do what's right, and what's right will become easy. Do the right thing and the rest will flow naturally.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Give it your all, be honest, be who God created you to be. Never let someone tell you that you can't do something or that you aren't good enough because you are. If God places something on your heart then at least give it a shot. No matter what, there is always something to learn from every experience. Strive to achieve your goals, and just show up every single day. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks. Focus on yourself and your career, and be the best at it that you can be.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
My biggest challenge right now is securing the funding and resources needed to bring my long term vision to life: a creative wellness studio where people of all ages can gather, connect, learn, heal, and grow.
Through Sunshine Creations Co., I have seen firsthand how much people are craving connection and community. I envision a space where women, men, children, families, and small business owners can participate in creative activities, wellness programs, Bible studies, journaling workshops, support groups, and educational opportunities. I want it to be a place where people feel welcomed, supported, and valued.
Like many small business owners and community leaders, one of the greatest challenges is finding sustainable funding to expand impact while continuing to serve others. Building a mission driven organization requires both passion and resources. While there have been personal challenges along the way, those experiences have only strengthened my determination to create something meaningful that will benefit the community for years to come.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The value that is most important to me is treating others the way you would want to be treated. I believe everyone deserves kindness, compassion, respect, and the opportunity to feel seen and heard.
I am especially passionate about recognizing when someone is struggling and offering support when they need it most. Through my own experiences with domestic violence, divorce, family challenges, and difficult seasons of life, I have learned how important it is to have people who listen without judgment and remind you that your story matters.
Making others feel seen, heard, valued, and supported is at the center of everything I do. Whether through Sunshine Creations Co., community outreach, wellness initiatives, or simply being there for someone who needs encouragement, I strive to create spaces where people feel they belong.
I am also passionate about connecting people with real resources and support during difficult times. Too often, individuals facing hardship, especially survivors of domestic violence, experience judgment, isolation, or victim shaming when what they truly need is understanding and hope. While my own healing journey continues, it has strengthened my commitment to helping others recognize their worth, find support, and know they are not alone.
Her Content Hub
Articles by April
Be the Sunshine
From Handmade Wreaths to Building Community: A Journey of Connection and Light
A few years ago, I was given the nickname Sunshine and was often told that I was the definition of “human sunshine.” I never knew that nickname would eventually carry so much weight. At first, it just made me grin, but over time I realized many people shared the same sentiment. Even now, many of the people I meet tell me that my presence brings warmth, positivity, and light into their lives.
Long before Sunshine Creations existed, I spent years organizing community events and fundraisers for the local fire department. Many of those events were centered around children and families. I saw firsthand the joy that community events could bring. I loved watching families come together, children make memories, and local businesses support each other. Those experiences showed me the power of creating spaces where people could connect and feel like they belonged. Through the events that I planned, I developed relationships and connections that would later become part of something I never saw coming.
What started as creating handmade wreaths for gifts eventually became something much bigger than I ever imagined. Crafting gave me a creative outlet, but I soon realized my passion extended beyond creating products. I loved bringing people together. I loved planning and organizing.
One day, I was reflecting on all of the events I had organized and thought, “I’m good at this. I can do this on my own and make extra money doing something I enjoy.”
With that, I reached out to a local business owner and asked if I could host a craft and vendor show at their venue. With a quick yes, my first show featured 70 crafters and vendors.
That one question. That one leap of faith changed everything.
What began as a single event quickly grew into something much larger than I ever imagined. Crafters and vendors were asking when my next show would be. I had no idea, but I certainly was not going to turn down an opportunity to do what I loved, and I was most definitely not going to let them down. I quickly started making plans for the next one.
That was the moment Sunshine Creations & Special Events came to life.
I also discovered that all of those years I was not just creating events. I was creating opportunities for people to connect, support each other, and build community.
To be perfectly honest, I love seeing it all come together. Thinking back, I have always loved creating, planning, and organizing. There is something incredibly rewarding about watching an idea turn into an event filled with people making memories. After weeks or months of planning, seeing smiling faces, hearing positive feedback, and knowing that something I created brought joy to others or helped a new business owner kick off their creative journey is one of the best feelings to experience.
I would be lying if I said I do not appreciate the compliments and encouragement along the way. Those moments remind me that the work I do matters and inspire me to keep going.
That same passion for connection eventually led me beyond events and into wellness-based community initiatives, including a front yard food pantry that served hundreds of people in need. Through every project, I discovered that my true passion was not simply creating events—it was creating community.
While Sunshine Creations & Special Events was born from my love of crafting and bringing people together, the mission eventually grew into something even bigger. Today, Sunshine Creations Co. reflects that broader vision. It represents community, connection, creativity, wellness, and a commitment to helping others feel seen, supported, and valued.
Through some of life’s most difficult seasons, I learned that healing often begins with connection. That realization greatly shaped not only my business but also my mission to create spaces where people feel welcomed, seen, and heard. These are things I have not always experienced myself, which is exactly why I am so passionate about creating them for others.
Over time, I began to understand that being called Sunshine was about much more than a nickname. It reflected the way I wanted people to feel when they crossed my path. It became the inspiration behind both my personal mission and the name Sunshine Creations. My goal has always been to bring warmth, encouragement, hope, and connection to those around me.
I want every person I meet to feel seen, heard, and valued. I want them to know that they have support and that someone genuinely cares. Whether I am hosting a craft night, organizing a community event, mentoring a small business owner, helping a family in need, or lending my ear to a friend, my goal remains the same.
I strive to be the sunshine in someone’s day and help others find joy and understanding in their journey. Sometimes the smallest act of kindness, a shared experience, or a simple connection can make a lasting impact.
In a world where so many people feel overlooked or alone, I believe we all have an opportunity to make a difference. We simply have to shine our light.
My mission is to continue to create opportunities for people to connect, create, heal, and thrive. If there is one thing I hope others take away from my story, it is this: Be the Sunshine. You never know how much of your light someone might need.
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